I Need Confirmation

xMotivee

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Jan 2, 2015
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What copy do I need to buy, if I am building a computer from scratch with no OS? Is there a certain type that I am supposed to buy??
 
If you are looking to run Microsoft Windows, you can either buy a full retail copy of Windows 7 or older, or if using Windows 8 or newer you can purchase the OEM version. It's a violation of the licensing terms for home builders to install OEM versions of Windows 7 or older on their own computers. They are expected to purchase full retail copies. Windows 8 changed the licensing requirements to make them more lenient on home builders.
 
"It's a violation of the licensing terms for home builders to install OEM versions of Windows 7" It's actually perfectly legal to install the OEM System builder version of Win 7 on a home built system. But like the preinstalled OEM versions it must remain with the system(tied to the motherboard). The big change from 7 to 8 is the OEM system builder versions of windows 8 can be moved to a different system as long as the os is only installed on 1 system at a time.
 
From the MICROSOFT OEM SYSTEM BUILDER LICENSE:

"Authorized Distribution and Acceptance. To distribute the Software or Hardware in this Pack, you must be a System Builder and accept this license. “System Builder” means an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, a refurbisher, or a software pre-installer that sells the Customer System(s) to a third party."

If you purchase an OEM copy of Windows 7, install and use it on a machine that you do not resell to a third party, you are not abiding by the terms of the license you agreed to when you opened the OEM software package.
 

So I am basicslly going to have to get 8.1 and if I do that I can get any like an OEM or regular

 


Interesting since every system builder I know uses OEM on their private system and Microsoft doesn't do anything about it . In fact I have been told by a Microsoft employee that do this is fine aslong as the license stays with the system when its sold. I guess any easy way around this would be to sell it to a friend(the 3rd party) for a penny then simply have them sell it back to you.
 
What exactly is Microsoft supposed to do about all of the people using Windows 7 in violation of the licensing terms? I think it would be a pretty tall order, no matter what they chose to do. Turning a blind eye, at least they get some of their asking price.

Just because some of Microsoft's own employees are ignorant, or corporate isn't strong arming people with their lawyers, isn't enough to make it legal.

Microsoft provides a convenient option for those wanting to install lower cost OEM Windows on their own home built systems with Windows 8.1. I personally haven't recommended Windows 7 to anyone in years. It's way past it's prime. Noticeably more sluggish and heavy handed with system resources. Just as Windows 7 was a nice improvement over Vista, 8.1 is noticeably more snappy than 7.

I doubt a little licensing issue will plague anybody willing to play games to skirt the third party requirements.